This article offers solutions in the unlikely event that your computer stops responding when starting up from a Mac OS X CD.

Symptom

A Mac OS X-compatible computer is unable to start up successfully from a Mac OS X CD. In rare cases, a kernel panic message may appear.

Products affected

• Mac OS X 10.0 to 10.0.4
• Mac OS X 10.1

1. Inspect the Mac OS X CD
Verify that the shiny side of the CD is relatively clean (no particles, smudges, or other abnormalities).

2. Make sure that current firmware is installed
Your computer may require a firmware update for best Mac OS X compatibility. The latest firmware updates are available at http://www.apple.com/swupdates/

3. Disconnect peripheral devices
Disconnect peripheral devices connected to your computer except for the Apple keyboard and mouse. This includes USB and SCSI devices, as well as PCMCIA cards.

4. Remove third-party hardware upgrades
Remove third-party hardware upgrades such as third-party memory (RAM) and third-party PCI cards. Note: Apple does not provide technical support for Mac OS X when used with third-party processor upgrade cards.